Unexpected Response: Southwest Baptist University - Rogues, Flim-Flam and Fairy Tales

Marie's response to the previous post concerning long-time Missouri Baptist and Southwest Baptist University Trustee, Rebecca Randles, was a surprise:

"No."

As Marie had requested, her friend had called her back after allowing Marie some time to consider the previous conversation (here). Obviously bewildered by the unexpected response, her friend floundered.

"Umm ... What exactly do you mean by that," her friend tentatively inquired.

"Umm ... pretty much what the term 'no' usually means in a conversation: no, none, not in any form, fashion, shape or manner. I don't think I can work with them."

"Ah, you mean ... that kind of 'no'!" her friend joked, timidly.

"Did you think that there was some rare proto-Indo-European usage of negative qualifiers, which only linguists/ English majors use?" Marie replied, dryly.

Taken back by the uncharacteristically curt tone, even in the returned jest, her friend ventured hesitantly: "No, but ... If you don't mind my saying so, Marie, you don't sound like your normal warm, fuzzy self. Are you sure you aren't just reacting to the impending 'Puppy' Exodus?"

Marie laughed. She and her friends have developed the 'Puppy Theory of Bolivar Energy Transfer,' which states that:

the energy and enthusiasm level in Bolivar, Missouri is directly proportional to the number of Southwest Baptist University students in town at any one time.

The theory's name was inspired by Marie's observation that the freshmen students (the "freshpuppies") pouring onto campus in the fall reminded her of the joyously spirited puppies playing in the grass and zealously pouncing all over the delighted, little boy in the "ancient" (that is, pre-Internet) Pepsi commercial (see classic commercial, scroll to bottom of linked page).

"No," Marie replied, "the kids [SBU students] haven't all left for the summer yet, but their numbers will be diminishing rapidly... and soon."

"May I ask, then, why you won't attempt to speak to the SBU Board of Trustees again?" her friend asked after a glaring pause.

"Sure," Marie answered. Another pause.

"OK, why?"

So, Marie began her explanation:

Why do I not want to communicate with the SBU Trustees or Rebecca Randles at this time? The full account would be, as they say, "too long an explanation for this space," so I will give you the short version.

In brief: I simply don't trust them. I just don't believe them anymore.

It's impossible that these Trustees could allow this to go on for so long, causing so much suffering and pain ... so much of which didn't need to be ... and still claim to be Christians.

It would be bad enough if this were only the "normal" Baptist flim-flam and fairy tales, but these people have become dangerous.

The Trustees act as though they can simply wave their Jesus talisman over the situation and all their administrative sins and incidental crimes are magically "forgiven" -- meaning they can pretend that none of it ever happened.

As it stands, the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees is a rogue organization.

They do not seem to recognize either the regulations or laws of the state. Further, they do not believe the Laws of God and the Traditions of the Church could possibly apply to them.

"We've all been thinking the same things: But, why isn't the Missouri Baptist Convention, which is so constantly in ever one else's business, concerned about their own university? Why haven't they stepped in to deal with this documented misconduct? Isn't there something they can do?" her friend inquired.

Marie responded:

"I guess that we are all going to find the answer to that question within the next month or so.

Maybe it's time for them to stop squabbling ... like spoiled children fighting over toys ... and deal with some real issues.

These are real lives that they are playing with; it's not a game."

All the dozens of letters, phone calls, lawyers .... At this point, harsher measures and sterner discipline may be imperative.

That may be the only way that they, as an organization and as individuals, can understand that they are, in actual fact, liable and subject to the state, the Law, the Church and to God.

Why must all the rest of us sacrifice for their corruption and negligence?

That's the problem: no matter what happens, the Trustees won't be the only ones that will be harmed by their misdeeds.

"Are you concerned about the way these revelations will impact the students?" her friend asked.

Marie took a deep breath, and continued:

Well, yes, of course, but not just the students; also, their families, non- believers, and all those who are struggling and need to hold on to hope.

The only solution that the administration seems to have for any challenge is to switch into trash, slash and burn mode.

I remember when Southwest Baptist University trashed my dreams and my world ... and how it changed my life. Even after I, more than once, tried to find excuses for them and return, they merely savaged my life again.

I am not the only one that has received such treatment.

Is it safe for these people to even have a university, to have access to so many precious, young, innocent lives?

"But, will Missouri Baptist Convention ever listen? Do you think that it will take a major shake-up to even get their attention -- maybe something like what happened at Oral Roberts University (here)?" her friend inquired.

Marie sighed, and agreed:

That might be so. I am reluctant to disrupt Finals Week -- especially with the news that SBU's tuition has just been raised to over $20,000 for next year.

[Total fees for the 2008-09 year will be $20,870, a $1,370 increase from 2007, (here)].

As a old friend once told me, Southwest Baptist University is and should be about the students. Always.

In my view, students should study well, enjoy their youth and vitality, and learn by experience how to best enhance and mature their own secular skills and Spiritual Gifts by serving their families, friends and the global community.

I would like to see the students excel and prepare for life in the real world. This doesn't make their jobs any easier.

These kinds of shenanigans only lessens the value of their increasingly expensive education and re-enforces the perception that evangelicals (especially Baptists) are: petty, hateful, belligerent, incompetent, intolerant, arrogant, misogynistic, dishonest, swindling, anti-intellectual, and dangerously self-centered, self-righteous hypocrites.

"I'd have to agree, Marie, but how will the 'system' ever change? The Southern Baptist and Missouri Baptist Conventions have a long history of abusing and demeaning people," her friend reminded her.

"I know," Marie replied, "remember it was a Missouri court that wrote the Dred Scot decision (here), which determined that African-Americans were, in their words:

beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white man, either in social or political relations, and so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.

"You've memorized that!" her friend asked, amazed.

"Yes, certainly. It's important," Marie answered, and then added:

It's important to know where you come from, so you don't make the same mistakes.

I don't want to make the same mistake of "trusting the Trustees" -- at least not whole-heartedly.

The SBU commencement is May 17 (here) and so, most of the students will be gone for the summer.

I already have an obligation to contact the First Baptist Church of Bolivar ... and I will do so this coming week.

But, this weekend, I will send a brief letter to Rebecca Randles -- as you asked -- concerning my transcripts and other matters related solely to my schooling. I can't, though, although, delay any of the efforts that are already underway.

If Rebecca Randles replies by May 17*, then perhaps you are right; perhaps, she is one of the 'good guys' and we can work something out -- for the sake of the students."

"What if she doesn't reply?"

"Then, I'll assume that she is one of the 'not-so-good old boys,'" Marie shrugged, "And, unfortunately, that wouldn't exactly be a surprise."



*PLEASE NOTE: Because of the need to await the decision of First Baptist Church of Bolivar (see details here), Marie's letter to Rebecca Randles (see here) will likely not be sent until at least June 1, although this is subject to change, if the circumstances should require.

Yes, Marie will be communicating with the First Baptist Church of Bolivar extensively throughout May and June 2008.

Calling Rebecca Randles, Attorney, Long-Time Southwest Baptist University Trustee and Alumnus

Following the posting of the list of Southwest Baptist University Trustees yesterday, Marie heard from a friend, who was astonished to see the name of REBECCA RANDLES listed as a Southwest Baptist University Trustee.

"Don't you know who she is?!" her friend enthused.

"Should I?" Marie replied. "I remember that she's a SBU Trustee, and an alumnus, I think ... and a Kansas City attorney."

"Yes, she was named one of the Lawyers of the Year in 2003 and she's one of the primary Missouri lawyers fighting for the victims of the Catholic clergy sexual abuse of children and women," her friend continued with unabashed exuberance.

"Yes, as I said: She's an attorney. I'm quite sure she is amply compensated for her work. There are millions to be made from the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church. I'm still not clear how this affects me."

"She's one of the good guys, Marie! She could help." her friend, smiled cheerfully, refusing to give ground.

"Hitler was a great guy, too," Marie retorted. "At least, to his friends."

"Marie, don't be so so cynical." her friend responded, irritated and growing impatient. "She would help you, I know she would! Really!"

"Unless there's a money to be made, that's doubtful." Marie answered, flatly. "I don't know her. But, I did fax her -- along with many of the other trustees -- requesting help when my electricity was disconnected for sixty-four days."

"You did?" her friend responded, hopefully, "What did she say ... or do."

"The same as the rest of the Trustees: Nothing. As far as they were concerned, if I had died as a result of the respiratory trauma, seizures, or the cold or hunger, they would have considered it a job well done. No witness, no litigation; case closed."

There was a brief silence.

"Did she even call you to see if you were alright?" Marie's friend asked, quietly.

"You mean to see if I were dead yet? No, no call. She, like the rest of the Southwest Baptist University Trustees, was content to let it all happen right in front of her," Marie replied in a monotone that indicated she had already sifted through and recited the possibilities to herself more than once.

"Maybe ... she didn't get the fax?" It was a question, which Marie didn't even bother to answer.

There was another longer pause.

"Look, Marie, I know that what has happened to you has been evil ... and that it is hard for me to understand, but maybe you are misjudging Rebecca Randles. Maybe there is something about the situation that you don't know ... that she doesn't know. Maybe it's a misunderstanding."

Silence.

"Listen, Marie, you know ... how difficult it is to work with abuse victims. The chemically injured people that you deal with every week have virtually all been abused in some way or another: abandoned by family, spouses, co-workers, schoolmates and friends; maligned by employers, colleagues and friends; abused by government agencies, landlords, neighbors ... complete strangers on the street."

She took a breath and waited. No response.

And so, Marie's friend continued:

You have witnessed the trauma of living souls anguishing through that kind of suffering and struggle ... that kind of complete hopelessness. You've been through it yourself. ... But, you also know the soul-wrenching exhaustion and helplessness that you feel while watching it happen to someone else.

Rebecca Randles was smart enough to pass the Missouri bar exam. I'm sure she could have chosen many other occupations -- work that would be a lot easier.

She chose to work in this field, because she was called, called by God, ... because God gave her a desire to help people ... to fight for those who can't fight for themselves.

Marie, she's one of us, the good guys, the ones who fight for justice. ...

"Which makes what she did ... and didn't do ... all the more terrible," Marie interjected, suddenly, "She has become ONE OF THEM. She's now the ABUSER."

"Maybe. Maybe so." her friend conceded. "But, would it hurt to make sure ... to try one more time?"

"OK," Marie said, finally, "I'll consider it. ... I'll sleep on it. Call me."


Marie's decision -- Unexpected Response:
Southwest Baptist University -- Rogues, Flim-Flam and Fairy Tales (here)

Do the Events at Oral Roberts University Foreshadow the Consequences at Southwest Baptist University?

Does the Scandal at Oral Roberts University hold any lessons for the Trustees and Administration at Southwest Baptist University?

Excerpted from the Associated Press (CBS11) story, "Scandal A Turnoff for Oral Roberts Students" :

As Oral Roberts University prepares to hand out diplomas to its Class of 2008, Anna Siebring, a junior, will be mailing out applications to transfer to another school. Siebring, a government major, is among many students having second thoughts about staying at Oral Roberts after six months of scandal at the evangelical Christian university.

Siebring, a government major, is among many students having second thoughts about staying at Oral Roberts after six months of scandal at the evangelical Christian university.

She and others fear the furor will reduce the value of any degree they earn there. Some graduates worry that they will have to try twice as hard to market themselves to potential employers after Saturday's commencement.

"The reputation of the school means a lot," Siebring said. "I want to be proud of the school that I went to, but I could definitely not say that about the school right now.' ...

School leaders have urged professors to lean on students and encourage them to return in the fall. Billionaire Oklahoma City businessman Mart Green, who stepped in last year to save the school with a $70 million donation and became chairman of the board of trustees in January, said budget cuts and layoffs are possible.

... Green said it will take years to make necessary overhauls and begin rebuilding trust. He has already dissolved the old board of regents and established a new set of bylaws. ... See entire article here.

Will the Missouri Baptist Convention -- which claims to own and operate Southwest Baptist University -- and Missouri Baptists look back months and years from now and wish that they had gained some wisdom (see here) from the consequences of the mistakes at Oral Roberts University?

The current Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees (listed here in earlier May 5 post) are meeting today (May 5) and tomorrow (May 6).

NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS in the coming weeks ...

They're Here!: Southwest Baptist University Trustees' Meeting Today (May 5) and Tomorrow (May 6)

NOTE: This is an image (from here) of the Southwest Baptist University logo, which reads "Edukatio Per Christum, 1878"

CURRENT TRUSTEES, ADMINISTRATION and DEANS
OF SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY


MR. CLARENCE BARBER
Businessman, West Plains, MO


MR. BILL BOLERJACK
Retired Pharmacist, Mountain View, MO


MR. GARY BROWN
Businessman, Richland, MO


MRS. MARCY CARTER
Homemaker, St. Louis, MO
Businesswoman Mt. Vernon, MO


MRS. SYNDEE CHASE
Businesswoman, Lebanon, MO


DR. CLYDE ELDER
Director of Missions, St. Joseph, MO


DR. DON FAHRNI - Chairman
'68, Businessman, Russellville, MO


MR. PHILLIP FRANZ
Businessman, West Plains, MO


REV. GARY GILMORE
'79, Army National Guard Chaplain,
Pastor, First Baptist Church,
Ft. Leonard Wood, Mount Vernon, MO


DR. WAYNE GOTT
Businessman, Salem, MO


MIKE GREEN
Pastor, First Baptist Church
Republic, MO


MRS. BERNICE HAMILTON
'51, Businesswoman, Lebanon, MO


REV. RICK HEDGER
previously Educator, Chatham, IL
Pastor, Neosho, MO


DR. MARK HOUSTON - Secretary
'84, previously Columbia and Bolivar, MO
Educator, Ft. Worth, TX


MR. WAYNE HUTCHINS
'51, Businessman, Springfield, MO


MR. BOB KILLIAN
Businessman, Springfield, MO

DR. RAY LEININGER - term recently expired
Pastor, Bolivar, MO


REV. GARY LONGNECKER
'71, (Retired) Pastor, Nixa, MO


DAVID MASON
'83, Pastor, Green V alley Baptist Church,
St. Joseph, MO


DAVID McALTIN,
Pastor, St. Peters, MO


MR. LARRY PAYTON
'70, Businessman, Tulsa, OK


MR. MARK RAINS - Vice Chairman
'70, Attorney, Blue Springs, MO


MRS. REBECCA RANDLES
'85, Attorney, Shawnee (KC), KS


MR. CARY SUMMERS
Businessman, Rogersville, MO


DR. DAVID TOLLIVER -
Currently Interim Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention
Pastor, Pisgah Baptist Church,
Excelsior Springs, MO


DR. GARY URICH
Pastor, Southern Hills Baptist Church,
Bolivar, MO


JERRY WILLIAMS,
'72, Director of Missions, Exeter, MO



ADMINISTRATION


C. PAT TAYLOR, President, ED. D


Gordon Dutile, PhD, Provost


Brent Good, MS, Director of Athletics


Ron Maupin, '70, MA, MS, CPA, Vice President for Admissions


Bob McGlasson, ED. D, Vice President for Information and Technology Services


Stephanie Miller, '80, ED. D, Vice President for Enrollment Management


Stan Norman, PhD, Vice President for University Relations


DEANS

William Brown, D.M.
Dean
Geneva Casebolt College of Music, Arts and Letters


Rodney Reeves, Ph.D.
Dean
'79, The Courts Redford College of Theology and Ministry


Edward W. Walton
Acting Dean
University Libraries


David Whitlock, Ph.D.
Dean
College of Business and Computer Science


Jennifer Wilson, Ed.D.
Dean
St. John's College of Nursing and Health Sciences


Linda Wooderson, Ed.D.
Dean
Lewis E. Schollian College of Education and
Social Science

Praying SBU, MBC and First Baptist (Bolivar) Be Filled with Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding

Friends inquired of Marie what she had been praying for when she received the "image," which was described in the May 1 blog posting:

A "picture" of the now-retired Southwest Baptist University administrator in the process of deliberately and falsely claiming that Marie's injuries were "only" the result of a "lab accident."

Marie had been praying, she explained to friends, one of two general prayers which she and her home church regularly use in praying for the leadership and membership of Southwest Baptist University, First Baptist Church of Bolivar, and the Missouri Baptist Convention: The prayer that they "might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."

This prayer is taken from Paul's prayer for the Colossians, which is part of a longer passage in the first chapter of Colossians 9-10:

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God ....

One friend pressed for further details, asking if this prayer is what had allowed Marie to "foresee the future."

Marie explained:

No, I believe, in this case, there was no "prophetic" or "psychic" intent, because the Spirit didn't impress upon me what was about to happen [that is, the April 29 lab accident].

I was "told" only that, given the unwise and deceitful way in which the SBU administration and staff had dealt with my own chemical accident, I was to pray for their growth in honesty, wisdom and maturity in such matters in the future.

If anything, this might be considered as a simple "word of knowledge" -- one of the Spiritual Gifts entrusted to believers by the Spirit when believers pray for wisdom in administering the Will of God. (Although, this term is used diversely in different denominations.)

Another friend interrupted, "But if that's true, why isn't this used by the leadership at SBU, MBC [Missouri Baptist Convention] and First Baptist [Church of Bolivar]? Why can't they discern the Spirit in the same way?"

At first, Marie was hesitant to answer, but, when prodded, she eventually replied, "This is why we have two primary prayers that we pray for them: the first, as I have said, is for wisdom; the second, is for repentance and salvation."

A startled friend responded, "You mean, you pray for their conversion?! Are you saying that they [Southwest Baptist University, the Missouri Baptist Convention, First Baptist Church of Bolivar] ... are not Christians?"

Though Marie was reluctant to discuss this in further depth, she relented and finally replied:

First, I must preface my answer with some explanation of what I believe it means to be a Christian.

As I said, in our prayers, we distinguish two categories of wisdom: first, the Wisdom given freely to all humankind and second, that Spiritual Wisdom granted to the Christian believer.

The Scripture instructs us to seek Wisdom for ourselves, our companions and kin, our neighbors, our rulers (even though they be corrupt) ... and even our enemies.

In Proverbs 1:21-22, Wisdom is depicted as crying out in the street: "Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets ... in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates ... in the city. ... proclaiming herself to "the simple ones."

Clearly, the riches of Wisdom's counsel is a grace open to all -- obtainable from the Spirit by any willing person, both the skilled and unskilled, the schooled and unschooled in the things of the Spirit, people of all classes, cultures, or religious beliefs.

But, there is another Spiritual Wisdom, an Understanding which supersedes even the grace of that Wisdom that cries in the streets.

This is the Spiritual Wisdom that cries in the Christian's heart -- the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

When an individual is reborn, the Holy Spirit indwells that person, seeking to conform the believer into the Likeness of Christ Jesus, fitted for life and labor in the Body of Christ, possessing the Mind and Mission of Christ.

When, through this process, the Spirit administers the transforming Anointing of Christ, the reborn individual must, of necessity, gain access to Spiritual Wisdom beyond that ordinarily granted to all humankind, for the reborn believer has become a "new creature":

As 2 Cor 5:17 proclaims: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

How else can the believer hope to the attain to such a High Calling, if it were not for this transformation, this miraculous gift of Special Grace and Wisdom?

By Spiritual Wisdom, I am not referring to "gnostic" or occult knowledge; instead, this is the "Family Wisdom," an instinctual "species" knowledge -- the wisdom of privileges and responsibilities granted to the reborn believer.

The believer is now so transfigured as to belong to a different class of beings!

Therefore, though some may call themselves Christians, how is it that their lives so seldom show evidence of this spectacular transformation?

Fastidius, the Bishop of London, as a father of the early church, dealt with this same troubling contradiction:

Let us not flatter ourselves in the mere fact that we are called Christians; rather, let us believe that we deserve to be judged if we assume a name to which we have no claim.

Or, if anyone is so unbelieving, so unfaithful, so persistent, so obstinate, so bold, that he does not fear the imminent anger and indignation of God the judge, let him at least feel abashed before human judgments.

Let him realize how dull, how foolish, and how senseless he is considered even by other people, since his vanity and madness are so great that he takes upon himself a name to which he is not entitled.

For, who is so conceited and so pitiable that he would dare to establish himself as a lawyer if he is uneducated? Who is so mad and bereft of reason that he would proclaim himself a soldier if he does not know how to use arms?

One does not choose such a name without reason. To be called a cobbler, one must repair shoes; to be looked upon as an artisan or workman, one must produce proof of his art; to be recognized as a trader, one exhibits costly objects originally purchased at a smaller price.

From examples of this sort we realize that there is no name without the corresponding act and, furthermore, that every name is derived from the antecedent act.

Now, then, are you called a Christian when you perform no distinctively Christian acts?

The name Christian connotes justice, goodness, integrity, patience, chastity, prudence, humility, kindliness, innocence, and piety; how do you defend your assumption of that name when your conduct manifests so few out of so many virtues?

He is truly a Christian who is one not in name only but also in deed; who imitates and follows Christ in all respects; who is holy, innocent, undefiled, chaste; in whose heart evil finds no room, since this heart is dominated by piety and by a goodness which, knowing only how to bring help to all, knows not how to harm or injure anybody.

He is a Christian who, according to the example of Christ, is accustomed to do good to those who oppose him and to pray for his persecutors and his enemies rather than to hate them.

Whoever is quick to hurt or harm another person lies when he calls himself a Christian; he is truly a Christian who can say in all honesty: ‘I have harmed nobody; I have lived in justice with all men.’*

*Text taken from Migne’s Patrologia Latina Vol. 50 Trans. Sister Mary Sarah Muldowney, R.S.M., Ph.D.
The Fathers of the Church (vol. 16), Catholic University of America Press (1952)
With gratitude for the posting of this translations at: http://churchlatin.wordpress.com.

So, since you have asked for a direct answer, I will give you one.

Yes, we, as a house church, do pray for their repentance and conversion, because we believe that this is the best way to address the heart of the matter.

And, no, we do not believe that many of these individuals, whatever they may call themselves in public, are true Christians.

However, this is not meant as an insult or a provocation; rather, this is merely the open acknowledgement of the evidence of their lives, which are apparent to all -- both Christian and non-Christian alike.

Even Baptist pastors, leaders, and statisticians cite studies (for example, see here) which highlight the problem of "unregenerate" church members, who do not demonstrate a transformed life, so my perspective is not unique.

An article in the Baptist Press describes a SBU student, Lena Bystrova, from the former Soviet Union, who, previous to coming to Bolivar, Missouri, had been taught by Soviet propaganda that Baptists were a "cult that sacrificed babies and treated women poorly."

If I were to reference my own experiences, the Soviet propaganda may be a fair assessment.

When my life so much as touched one of theirs, even in passing, how often have I suffered injury and harm?

Rarely have my family, my friends or I escaped such encounters without suffering grief, hardship, slander, assault, thievery or abuse.

How is one to believe that these are the actions of people whose hearts and minds have been transformed by the Love of Christ?

Therefore, we will continue to pray for their regeneration and salvation, that they might be transformed, regenerated ... and made whole.

Additional information will follow in NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS this coming week.

UPDATE: Cleanup of Southwest Baptist University Chemical Spill Complete

Has Southwest Baptist University learned anything about how to handle a chemical accident on its campus?

Springfield News Leader Coverage here.

Bolivar Herald Free Press Coverage here.

As Marie was in prayer and meditation this past weekend, again and again an image came to her: A "picture" of a now-retired SBU administrator in the process of deliberately and falsely claiming that Marie's injuries were "only" the result of a "lab accident."

He (the administrator) made these claims repeatedly to individuals inquiring through the Missouri Baptist Convention about the pesticide poisoning and Marie's condition.

That, of course, was not true, because there was no "lab accident" in Maire's case.

Granted, it had been disillusioning to hear a professor/ administrator, for whom Marie had respect and admiration, make these dissembling evasions, masking the truth in order to cover for Southwest Baptist University and its administrators and staff.

But, to be frank, in reality, his remarks, though painful, were hardly memorable in the scheme of the unfathomable misery that followed for Marie, her family, and her friends.

So, why was this image so persistent in Marie's prayerful meditations?

Since Marie had previous experience with these occurrences, she knew it was best -- until she more fully understood the image -- to withhold comment and delay the planned weekend News Announcement.

This Tuesday afternoon (April 29), as emergency vehicles hurried to the Southwest Baptist University campus, Marie received the answer to the image's puzzle: there had been a chemical spill in the Wheeler Science Center.

Thank God no people were seriously injured -- at least as far as is publicly known! However, there was some damage to the facility.

This incident is, indeed, a "lab accident. "

SOUL-SEARCHING, SELF-EXAMINATION HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
for SBU Trustees, Administration, Faculty and Staff

1. Compare and contrast the reaction of the SBU administration and staff in this week's lab accident with SBU's handling of Marie's pesticide poisoning(s) and her subsequent injuries and disability. What provisions were made for the faculty and students' safety in these events? Were emergency medical personnel summoned in each of these events? Were the buildings evacuated? Were possibly-exposed individuals offered access to Material Safety Data Sheets or other relevant information on the possible risk to health and personal wellness from these exposures? Were chemical tests preformed to determine the extent of volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination, the possible incursions of contamination into other parts of the facility through ventilation ducts, and the long-term safety risk of the chemical contamination? Were potentially-injured individuals offered medical care (Reminder: Marie's symptoms were immediate, severe, and potentially life-threatening)? How were these individuals treated by SBU personnel? What information was given to the press, community members, students, students' families, SBU personnel and others?
   
2. In comparison with the handling of this week's lab accident, was Marie O'Hara treated justly during (and following) the life-threatening, "accidental" pesticide poisonings which caused her injuries and disability? Examine this question in the context of the SBU's mission statement, which reads: "Southwest Baptist University is a Christ- centered, caring academic community preparing students to be servant-leaders in a global society."
3. How has the "SBU Family" demonstrated its CORE VALUES in handling Marie's "accidental" pesticide poisoning during these many years? In deliberating this inquiry, please reference the published SBU Core Values Statement, which reads:
   

   CORE VALUES
   

   In fulfilling the University's mission and vision through its strategic planning process, Southwest Baptist University is committed to the following core values: Christian Distinctiveness, Baptist Heritage, Compassion and Care for SBU Family, Academic Excellence, Social and Spiritual Development, Personal Wellness.

These questions (and far more searching questions) will need to be answered by the Southwest Baptist University Family in the coming days -- either in public or private.

Once again, Marie will call upon the individual leaders and members of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar -- many of whom are SBU faculty, staff and administrators -- to play a pivotal role in bringing this situation to a "Christ-centered" resolution.

Additional information will follow in NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS in the coming weeks.


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NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT and Southwest Baptist University Trustee Meeting

Due to changing circumstances -- hopefully for the better -- there will be a delay in the ANNOUNCEMENT of this weekend's NEWS until late on Wednesday, April 30.

This announcement pertains to:
the Missouri Baptist Convention,
and Southwest Baptist University,
and (particularly to) the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri.

The post -- "What is ChristKind?" -- will be posted following the NEWS announcement.

The Southwest Baptist University Trustees will be holding their Spring Meeting on Monday and Tuesday, May 5-6.

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Daily Updates Beginning Monday, April 21.

We will now begin posting daily updates, beginning Monday, April 21.

Additions to the Document and Previous Website Archive have been posted see sidebar to the left.

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